Thinking of Oliver!

Hollywood is obsessed with remakes, to the point that it can get utterly tiresome. The stage, however, has had far more success with the few intellectual properties than it has chosen to translate, perhaps because the addition of music, singing, and sometimes dance, creates an original and entertaining dimension that heretofore hadn’t existed in the original property. This is certainly the case with Oliver!, the musical based on Charles Dickens’ classic novel, Oliver Twist.

A Timeless Story Set in a Storied Time 

The story of Oliver Twist is ultimately a romantic one. No, not in the modern sense of love and romance, but rather in the slightly more traditional sense: Dickens imagines a world where a completely happy and rather coincidental ending is entirely possible. The story is certainly a comedy, wherein things go from bad to better, and where you never truly have to worry for Oliver, because you know things are going to get better for him. In this way, it is a reassuring story of hope, redemption, and love, all against the odds stacked against this poor orphan.

The novel’s setting, as romantic and idealistic as it is in terms of Oliver’s eventual fate, casts a very unromantic eye on the criminal underworld and the treatment of orphans that Oliver must contend with. The novel calls attention to child labor, the use of children by criminals, and the sheer number of street children. Dickens uses the novel as a platform to call out the more moneyed members of society on their behavior.

 How Oliver! Got Its Start

The musical, Oliver!, is of British origin, with its music and lyrics all written by Lionel Bart. Oliver! was the first modern British musical to make it to Broadway successfully, and continues to be a popular musical to this day. The musical has enjoyed several revivals over the years, and why not? It’s one of the more heartwarming stories on stage, and has often played host to talent that has gone on to become famous in their own right, such as current pop sensation Asher Monroe, who got his start in Beauty and the Beast and, later, Oliver!

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The plot of the musical, and the characterization of its major parts, is considerably simpler than in the novel itself, but given the time constraints and the voluminous style of Dickens’ writing, this comes as no surprise!

The Play is the Thing 

Act I of the musical opens in the infamous workhouse that Oliver lives and works in. This is when we hear the classic “Food Glorious Food,” followed by “Oliver!,” “Boy for Sale,” “That’s Your Funeral,” and “Where is Love?” The rest of the act continues to unfold from the workhouse, with Oliver abused until he escapes, ending up on the streets of London where he meets the Artful Dodger. Together they live with Fagin, who teaches him to become a pickpocket. Ending on one of the lowest notes of the musical, Oliver is arrested for the robbing of Mr. Brownlow.

Act II sees Fagin informed of Oliver’s arrest. Fagin plots to kidnap him, while Oliver is cared for by the Brownlows. Eventually, through a winding series of accidents, coincidences, and so on, it is discovered that Oliver is actually Mr. Brownlow’s great nephew, and in the end, he is reunited – against all odds! – with his family. This kind of ending – the ultimately happy one that sees the wicked punished and the heroes triumph – is exactly what you would expect, and perhaps a big contributor to the success of the musical!

Oliver! Today 

The musical was adapted to film in 1968, but ultimately, it will always be a musical on stage. The iconic songs, beautiful stagecraft, and raucousness of the cast themselves is best experienced in person, where you can feel as if you’re in the workhouse, on the streets of London, and in the Brownlow residence with Oliver throughout the musical. You lose something when a performance goes onto the screen, with pixels and coffee tables separating you from the action.

 Recent productions have seen Rowan Atkinson and director Sam Mendes involved, contributing to the ever-increasing profile of Oliver!. From the UK to Broadway and Broadway to community theaters across the country, Oliver! remains one of the most heartwarming and enjoyable musicals to ever grace the stage.

Prepare for a Career in the Arts with BAT

Founded in 1979 by Helen Grigal, the Baltimore Actors’ Theater is well-known for its various productions, including Oliver!, The King and I, and The Sound of Music, you may not realize that BAT is also an educational institution that has served the community for decades, and which helps students of all ages – from the very youngest up to university – to reach their potential. While they continue to put on performances with members of all ages, the educators and dramatists of BAT offer several college prep opportunities, as well as the opportunity to participate in university programs with which to continue your education.

Preparing for College 

The educational opportunities available at the Baltimore Actors’ Theater begin with the foundation of the Theater, the Conservatory. Founded in 1979 as Maryland’s first and only accredited college preparatory school of the arts, the Conservatory serves students from pre-school to grade twelve. While they offer a rigorous academic program, their focus is, of course, on music, drama, and dance. You needn’t fear that your child will not receive a top quality education in other disciplines, however; the Conservatory also offers advanced placement courses to give your child the head start they deserve, including English, Biology, History, French, and Music Theory.

The students of the Conservatory go on to study at the NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Syracuse University, Boston Conservatory, Boston University, North Carolina School of the Arts, and Point Park College. As a model college preparatory school, the Conservatory has been widely recognized by the Maryland Department of Education, the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and the College Board, to be a stellar educational institution.

After School 

The Baltimore Actors’ Theater also offers a vocational theater arts program through the Baltimore Actors’ Theater Academy, founded in 1965. For young people, ages seven through fifteen, the Academy offers instruction in music, drama, and dance, all within the context of an arts curriculum. A summer theater workshop is also available; as a two-week theater arts program for young people, the workshop provides instruction in music, drama, dance, and guitar.

Finally, the Baltimore Actors’ Theater’s continuing association with Trinity Guildhall allows its students to participate in the international examinations program. In this program, professional evaluators will examine the knowledge and skill of candidates; the opportunity to earn a diploma in Speech & Drama or Music exists. These diplomas are widely seen as the benchmark of professional competence in their field of study, and can open doors for your student around the world.

Beyond K-12 

The Conservatory’s Professional Development Division provides a college-level training experience in theater, music, and dance. While most schools would have your child study one of these disciplines, at the Conservatory they will study all three, helping them to become a wel-rounded artist. Offering a variety of courses, including piano, singing, voice, acting, and music theory, all over the course of the intensive three-year program, the program is associated with Trinity College and the Rose Bruford College, and graduates have the opportunity to earn Trinity College diplomas.

Students also have the opportunity to pursue a distance learning Bachelor of Arts in Theater Studies through the Rose Bruford College in the United Kingdom. Professionals will be able to earn this degree through weekly seminars in pursuit of the three-year degree, validated by the University of Manchester. Whether you’re a working actor or new to the industry, this is a great way to earn the academic qualifications that can bolster a practical career. Preparing for a Career in the Arts

by ijdwilson.
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Any student interested in theater, dance, and music, must consider the Baltimore Actors’ Theater. Whether that student is in kindergarten, high school, or a even a working professional, the Baltimore Actors’ Theater offers a variety of professional and educational opportunities that few other institutions in the United States possess. If you are a parent of a child who is interested in one or more of these disciplines, BAT is an amazing place where your child can grow into the college-ready artist that you know they can be.

The continuing educational opportunities offered by the Conservatory through its association with Trinity College and Trinity Guildhall allows students to get an education in the arts discipline of their choice beyond the regular constraints of school, whether it’s after school, during the weekend, or over the summer. What’s important is that they grow, develop, and move towards the career that will make them happy and bring them professional success. Through the Baltimore Actors’ Theater and the Conservatory, you or your child can do exactly that.